Catalytic partial oxidation of methane (POM) over the monolithic catalyst LaNiOx/CeO2-ZrO2/alpha-Al2O3 has been studied. Experiments were conducted with one channel of a monolith at a varied channel length, contact time (similar to 1-6 ms) and temperature using the diluted gas mixture (1 % CH4 + 0.5 % O-2 in He). At increasing temperature and contact time, CO selectivity rises within the whole temperature range whereas the contact time dependence of H-2/CO ratio varies with the temperature. These results support the POM reaction scheme including primary formation of CO and H-2 followed by their oxidation in the presence of gas-phase O-2. Steam and dry methane reforming reactions occur in the part of monolithic channel where oxygen is absent, thus increasing syngas yield. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.